Enganese
Hybrid Breed Description
The Enganese is a cross between the English Toy Spaniel and the Havanese. Because each hybrid inherits a unique combination of traits from both parents, we recommend thoroughly researching both breeds before choosing an Enganese. Pay special attention to temperament, health issues, and care requirements, as your dog may express characteristics from either parent breed.
English Toy Spaniel
The English Toy Spaniel is a compact, square-shaped toy breed displaying a distinctive appearance characterized by its domed head and pushed-in facial features. Standing between nine and eleven inches tall at the shoulder, these dogs typically weigh between eight and fourteen pounds, with males and females showing minimal size variation. The breed exhibits a sturdy, well-built frame despite its diminutive size, with well-muscled though short legs, small furry feet with fused toes, and a broad back that contributes to their characteristic square silhouette. The head is large in proportion to the overall body size, featuring a recognizable dome-shaped skull that appears rounded both visually and to the touch. The muzzle is very short with the nose pushed back, creating ample cushioning under the eyes and a slight underbite in the square jaw. Large, very dark brown or black eyes are set squarely in line with the nose, creating the breed's characteristic soulful, gentle expression. The ears are very long, hanging close to the head with heavy feathering, and should not display excessive white coloring. The English Toy Spaniel's coat is long, silky, and flowing, either straight or slightly wavy, with profuse heavy fringing on the ears, body, and chest, plus flowing feathering on both front and hind legs and feet. The breed comes in four distinct color varieties, each with its own historical name: Blenheim features a pearly white ground with deep red or chestnut markings; Prince Charles displays white with black and tan markings in a tricolor pattern; King Charles shows a rich glossy black with bright mahogany tan markings; and Ruby presents as a self-colored rich mahogany red. The tail, naturally short or screw-shaped in some dogs, is typically docked to two to four inches in length and adorned with silky feathering.
Key Characteristics
The English Toy Spaniel possesses a gentle, sweet-natured temperament that makes them excellent lap dogs and devoted companions. These dogs are characteristically quiet and unassuming, preferring calm environments and peaceful activities over boisterous play or excessive excitement. They form intensely strong bonds with their preferred people and thrive on being close to their human companions, often following family members from room to room and seeking opportunities to cuddle and provide comfort. This devotion can become a liability, as the breed is prone to severe separation anxiety when left alone for extended periods. While affectionate and loving with family members, English Toy Spaniels tend to be more selective in their friendships compared to some other toy breeds. They may display reserve or shyness around strangers until they become comfortable in new situations, though they generally warm up with patience and gentle handling. Early socialization proves crucial for developing confidence and preventing fearfulness in unfamiliar circumstances. Despite their small size and sweet demeanor, these dogs possess a surprising amount of dignity and can be somewhat proud in their bearing. Intelligent and eager to please, English Toy Spaniels train reasonably well with patient, positive reinforcement methods, though they can exhibit stubborn streaks and have notably short attention spans. Training sessions must remain brief, engaging, and reward-based to maintain their interest and cooperation. The breed shows playful energy when outdoors but becomes calm and sometimes even lazy when indoors, making them ideal apartment companions. They get along well with other pets when properly introduced and can be good with children, though they prefer older, more gentle children over rough, unpredictable toddlers. Their alert nature makes them decent watchdogs who bark to announce visitors, but they lack any protective or aggressive tendencies.
The English Toy Spaniel has an average lifespan of ten to twelve years and is predisposed to several breed-specific health concerns that owners should monitor carefully. As a brachycephalic breed with a shortened muzzle and flattened face, they commonly experience breathing difficulties including brachycephalic airway syndrome. This condition causes symptoms like snoring, labored breathing, and exercise intolerance, particularly in hot weather or during strenuous activity. Owners must be vigilant about preventing overheating and limiting exercise during extreme temperatures. Cardiovascular issues represent significant health concerns for this breed. Mitral valve disease is particularly common in small dogs like English Toy Spaniels, occurring when the heart's mitral valve weakens over time, leading to inefficient blood flow and potentially heart failure. Patent ductus arteriosus, a congenital heart defect where blood vessels fail to close properly after birth, can also affect the breed. Regular cardiac evaluations and early detection through routine veterinary examinations help manage these conditions effectively with medication and lifestyle modifications. Eye problems occur frequently in English Toy Spaniels, with cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy being primary concerns. Cataracts can develop as early as middle age, causing cloudiness in the lens and potential vision loss, though surgical treatment often proves successful. Glaucoma, characterized by increased pressure within the eye, requires immediate emergency treatment to prevent permanent damage. Patellar luxation affects the knees, causing the kneecap to slip out of place and potentially leading to lameness or arthritis. The breed's long, floppy ears create ideal conditions for ear infections by trapping moisture and debris. Additionally, English Toy Spaniels are prone to dental problems due to their small mouths and crowded teeth, requiring regular dental care including professional cleanings and home brushing to prevent periodontal disease.
Havanese
The Havanese is a small, sturdy dog of the Bichon family, standing between eight and eleven inches tall at the shoulder and weighing between seven and thirteen pounds. The breed displays a slightly rectangular body structure, where the length from point of shoulder to point of buttocks exceeds the height at the withers, creating a longer-than-tall appearance. Despite their small size, Havanese possess surprising substance and sturdiness, with well-sprung ribs, a level topline, and moderate bone that gives them an animated, springy gait rather than a fragile appearance. The head is of medium length and width, neither coarse nor overly refined, with a moderate stop and a broad, slightly rounded skull. The muzzle is full and slightly tapered, with the length from stop to tip of nose equal to the distance from stop to occiput. Dark brown, almond-shaped eyes convey an intelligent, gentle expression, while the ears are set high and drop alongside the head, covered with long, flowing hair. The neck is of moderate length, carried proudly, and the tail is carried arched over the back when the dog is alert, covered with long, silky hair. The Havanese's most distinctive feature is its profuse, soft, silky coat that flows naturally without appearing harsh or cottony. The coat is long, wavy to curly, and comes in all colors and combinations including white, cream, champagne, gold, black, silver, chocolate, and various parti-color combinations. Unlike many breeds, the Havanese coat should never be clipped short except for hygienic purposes. The hair on the head may be corded or brushed, and many owners choose to tie the topknot to keep hair out of the eyes. The breed's coat provides insulation in both hot and cold weather, and while it appears to require extensive maintenance, the soft texture actually resists matting more than harsher coats when properly cared for.
Key Characteristics
The Havanese is characterized by an exceptionally friendly, outgoing temperament that makes them ideal family companions and therapy dogs. These naturally social dogs greet both familiar faces and strangers with enthusiasm and affection, lacking the reserve or aloofness seen in some toy breeds. They thrive on human companionship and become deeply bonded to their families, wanting to participate in all household activities and following their people from room to room. This strong attachment means Havanese do not tolerate isolation well and can develop separation anxiety if left alone too frequently or for extended periods. Intelligent, trainable, and eager to please, Havanese excel in obedience training and quickly learn commands, tricks, and routines when taught with positive reinforcement methods. They respond enthusiastically to gentle guidance and consistent training, showing natural aptitude for various canine sports including agility, rally, and freestyle. However, they can be somewhat stubborn or independent at times, particularly if training becomes repetitive or boring. Early socialization helps develop their naturally confident, outgoing personality and ensures they remain comfortable in various situations. Havanese are sensitive to their owner's moods and emotions, making them particularly intuitive and responsive companions. Despite their small size, Havanese possess surprising energy and playfulness, enjoying interactive games, fetch, and exploring their environment. They make excellent watchdogs, alerting their families to visitors or unusual activities with barking, though they are not typically yappy or excessive barkers when properly trained. They get along exceptionally well with children, displaying patience and gentleness, and generally coexist peacefully with other dogs and even cats when properly introduced. The breed adapts well to various living situations from apartments to large homes, provided they receive adequate attention, moderate exercise, and mental stimulation to prevent boredom and potential destructive behaviors.
The Havanese is generally a healthy, long-lived breed with an average lifespan of fourteen to sixteen years, though they are predisposed to certain genetic health conditions that potential owners should understand. Patellar luxation represents one of the most common orthopedic concerns in the breed, occurring when the kneecap slips out of its normal position. This condition ranges from mild cases causing occasional lameness to severe cases requiring surgical correction. Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, a condition affecting the hip joint where the femoral head deteriorates, can also occur in Havanese, typically appearing in young dogs and causing pain and lameness that may necessitate surgery. Eye conditions affect some Havanese, with cataracts being the primary concern. These can develop at various ages and may progress to blindness if untreated, though surgical removal often successfully restores vision. Progressive retinal atrophy, causing gradual vision loss, and cherry eye, where the tear gland prolapses, also occur in the breed. Regular ophthalmologic examinations help detect these conditions early. Some Havanese develop chondrodysplasia, a developmental disorder affecting cartilage and bone growth that can cause shortened, bowed limbs and early-onset arthritis. Heart problems, particularly mitral valve disease and patent ductus arteriosus, can affect Havanese as they age. Liver shunt, where blood bypasses the liver through abnormal blood vessels, occurs in some lines and causes symptoms including poor growth, behavioral abnormalities, and digestive upset. Deafness, either present at birth or developing later in life, affects some Havanese, particularly those with predominantly white coats. Allergies causing itchy skin and ear infections occur with some frequency in the breed. Despite these potential health concerns, many Havanese live long, healthy lives with proper veterinary care, including regular checkups, dental cleanings, appropriate diet, and moderate exercise. Responsible breeders screen for genetic conditions and work to reduce their incidence through selective breeding practices.
Important to Remember
Each hybrid dog is unique and may inherit any combination of traits from either parent breed. The information above represents the characteristics of the purebred parent breeds. Your Enganese may favor one parent over the other or display a blend of both. We strongly encourage you to read the complete breed profiles for both the English Toy Spaniel and Havanese to fully understand the range of possible temperaments, health concerns, and care requirements.